Homecare Southlodge, a small domiciliary care agency supporting 13 older people, was rated Good across all five key questions, maintaining its previous rating. Minor improvement areas were identified in medicines recording and recording of end of life preferences, both addressed promptly by the registered manager.
Concerns (2)
minor
Medication management
: “At the time of inspection, we noted some area of best practice that could be improved. We raised this with the registered manager who immediately took this feedback on board and developed their medicines recording.”
minorEnd-of-life care: “Where people or their relatives had chosen not to discuss their preferences, this was not always clearly recorded. We raised this with the registered manager who took action to address this.”
Strengths
· Staff safely recruited with DBS, references and employment history checks
· Robust oversight of incidents and accidents with full investigations followed up
· Staff trained in line with the Care Certificate with specialist training for individual needs
· Personalised care records reflecting preferences, cultural needs and communication needs
· Strong, approachable registered manager with regular quality assurance checks
Quality-Statement breakdown (23)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to access healthcare servicesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred cultureGood
well-led: Duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff understanding roles, quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; continuous learningGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood